Reed Vole

The reed vole, or Yangtze vole, is somewhat larger and longer-tailed than most other voles, with a head-and-body length of 12–13.9cm and a tail of 4.8–6.7cm. The back fur is dark tawny-brown, the flanks buffish-brown blending into greyish underparts, and the tail is bicoloured, dark brown above and whitish below. It occurs up to about 2,000m, and in favourable conditions may have six litters in a season of about five young each (Wikipedia, general species account).

When its habitat floods in spring and summer it may move into adjoining farmland or vacant land, migrating inland for up to 20km and returning to its waterside haunts when the water subsides. In well-drained soil it digs fairly complex burrows with side passages, nesting chambers, storage rooms and several entrances, with passages that can extend 120–150cm (Wikipedia, general species account).